John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he received communication from Waterford County Council regarding Tallow or Lismore Fire Stations since 1 January 2007; if he will provide details of such correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7487/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 620 of 12 February 2008.

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981.

In May 2007, following a resolution of Waterford County Council, the County Secretary wrote to my predecessor as Minister, calling on him "to expedite the application for Tallow Fire Station."

In August 2007, Waterford Fire Authority requested a meeting with the Department to discuss the construction of fire stations in the County, in the context of the Department's fire service capital programme. Following this meeting, the Department requested the fire authority to prioritise capital projects for consideration under the programme. The authority replied on 9 October 2007 to the effect that Lismore and Portlaw were its first and second priorities for replacement fire stations ahead of Tallow. On 4 February 2008 the Council wrote to the Department confirming these priorities.